July 2019 - Maiden so far - from Rebbecca Gmuer-Hornell Meet the New Committ ee Remembering John Goldsbury Bob Mc Davitt 's weather Corner Willis ...
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PL
FRSE TA
EA
E E KE O
! N
E
July 2019
Maiden so far - from Rebbecca Gmuer-Hornell
Meet the New Committee
Remembering John Goldsbury
Bob Mc Davitt’s weather Corner
Willis Sails
Monthly Quiz & Spot the Yot
2 | Tell Tales
IN THIS ISSUE...
Commodore’s Report..........................3
Nautical Quiz......................................5
News from MAIDEN............................6
Meet some of the New Committee....7
Mid-Winter Dinner..............................8
Remembering John.............................9
Bob McDavitt’s Weather Corner.........10
J Class & the America’s Cup................12
Willis Sails.........................................14
Full Calendar of July events................16
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Tell Tales | 3
COMMODORE’S REPORT Chris Williams
Hi all ,
Well another year has passed and as most of you will know we have just had the 2019 AGM, on
the whole the club is going along well.
Firstly I would like to thank Cam Murray and Julie Kidman for their work as Commodore and
Vice Commodore over the past year, Also Jilly who has managed the social events and membership
over the past three years. Some great work had been done and they will all be missed.
Secondly I would like to thank those that have remained on the committee in various new roles.
Peter Boyd as Vice Commodore. Paul France as Treasurer. Grimmie as Bar & Kitchen, David
Krebbs as Race Officer. Sheila as Secretary and Kerry as Publicity. Ange Muller and Peter Boyd
will continue to look after youth sailing. Rose for the time being is going to continue oversee the
website remotely, We do however still need someone to take an interest in the website and keep it
ticking along.
Our new recruit is Karl Spranger as House.
As for social we have few people willing to help out but we would like to hear from anybody out
there willing to take the reigns.
In the coming year we have a few tasks to take care of starting with our club dock. As most of
you will have noticed it needs some love. We have a plan to haul it out and give it a good spruce up
but this would mean it would be out of action for a couple of months which unfortunately would
mean going without for up to 8 weeks so we are looking for anyone willing to give us a helping
hand to speed up this process. We would be looking at tidying up the pontoons, painting and leak
testing with the possibility of filling them with foam and replacing the decks.
This year too, we would like to invest into our youth sailing fleet and try to re establish a robust
programme to expand our membership and future sailing/racing crews and skippers.
We are also applying for a couple of grants to replace our race computer and do some much-
needed repairs to the chase boat and trailer.
Don’t forget that now the cruisers have left for warmer weather the club is open with the fire on
Wednesday through Sunday with darts every Wednesday night along with Bingo on the first Thurs-
day of the month and Quiz nights every 3rd Thursday of the month. Please check your calendars,
the website and Facebook for further details.
Coming up this month is the Midwinter Dinner 20 July with Bella A Capella as our entertain-
ment, don’t forget your tickets as you will not want to miss out on a great night.
Tickets will be available to purchase from the bar or the office when it’s open from around the
3rd of July.
Until next month this will be all from me.
Be safe on the water and look forward
to seeing you all in the club
over the next few months.
Thanks
Chris Williams
On the cover: Rebecca Gmuer Hornell Relaxing on watch in the Cockipt of MAIDEN
4 | Tell Tales
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Tell Tales | 5
Nautical Nowledge QUIZ #11
Test
your
crew!!
Test
yourself
with
these
five
quick
questions.
1.
The
top
of
the
mainsail
is
known
as
the
a.
Clew
b.
Stay
c.
Head
d.
Fore
2.
What
should
you
be
aware
of
once
a
storm
has
passed?
a.
Debris
in
water
b.
Fallen
tree
branches
in
water
c.
Muddy
murky
water
making
it
impossible
to
see
a
person
overboard
victim
d.
All
of
the
above
3.
These
are
places
that
do
not
have
their
own
tide
tables
so
the
information
has
to
be
calculated
by
using
the
Tide
Differences
Table
a.
Secondary
Ports
b.
Main
Ports
c.
Primary
Ports
d.
Stationary
Ports
4.
For
chartwork
dividers
are
used
to
measure
distances
in
nautical
miles
from
the
latitude
scale.
a.
True
b.
False
5.
Safe
water
will
be
found
by
keeping
to
the
….
a.
North
of
this
mark
b.
South
of
this
mark
c.
West
of
this
mark
d.
East
of
this
mark
If
you
struggled
with
any
of
the
questions
or
you
want
to
expand
your
knowledge
of
sailing
theory
take
the
free
eLearning
courses
at
International
Yacht
Training.
https://www.iytworld.com/courses/course-‐types/elearning/
6 | Tell Tales
NEWS FROM MAIDEN Bex Gmuer - Hornell
250miles from the equator, the breeze has swung aft, and we are finally reaching our way to
Hawaii after two weeks of upwind sailing.
This 58ft beast, Maiden, has been treating us well. As the
rigger on board, I have been up to do a rig check on one of
our lighter motoring days and have had a fair bit of rope
work to do due to some chafing issues with halyards. But
all in all, the boat is looking great, and we are trucking
along sitting in 9.5 - 10knots as we speak.
The days are getting warmer, and longer. The heat is mak-
ing life down below hard. We cook our meals from scratch
which tends to heat the cabin quite well (but I did have
the best pulled-pork tacos for lunch and curry for dinner,
so I shouldn’t complain!)
Since this is going to be my first equator crossing, I hear
my eyebrows should be worried, but hey if that’s the price
I have to pay to Neptune so be it! Eyebrows grow back,
right?!
But what an honour it is to be sailing on the yacht that
helped shape women’s sailing as we know it today.
See cover picture for Bex taking it easy on watch :)
‘Maiden’, the first yacht with an all-women crew to compete in the Whitbread Round the World Race,
which first arrived in Auckland 30 years ago to a rapturous welcome after capturing a second leg win in
its class.
The legendary boat was back in Auckland, the City of Sails, for a month as part of a two and a half year
voyage around the world to raise awareness and funds for girls’ education and left on Sunday 9th June
with four new Kiwi crew for the next leg to Honolulu.
Tell Tales | 7
MEET (SOME OF) THE NEW COMMITTEE
This month we say Hi to two of our New Committee for the 2019-20 year
Paul France has been our treasurer now for a few months after we put the call out for a
new treasurer after our AGM in 2018. We are very grateful that he has decided to help us out
all be it remotely most of the time. Please say hi if you see Paul in the Club.
Paul is a retired international media executive who occupied senior positions in the news and
production areas of TVNZ before heading offshore to be CEO of the Asia-Pacific regional
satellite TV Asia Business news and, after a merger, President of CNBC Asia. During these
assignments he has had wide experience with the integration of computers to create captions
and other graphics within television transmissions. Since
retiring in New Zealand, he has served two terms on the
Broadcasting Standards Authority, was a member of the
group which reviewed the rules governing liquor adver-
tising, and is a trustee of the trust which is government
funded to produce captions for hearing impaired TV
viewers and audio description services for the blind.
He also produced the TVNZ America’s Cup TV coverage
in Fremantle in 1986 and subsequently in San Diego and
drove the 3D computer graphics project.
Paul has enjoyed sailing all of his life.
Peter Boyd has been on the OCC committee
several times over the past years and has always given
his forthright and honest, sometimes controversial
support for many of the projects that go on behind
the scenes as well as being actively involved in club
racing and Youth Sailing.
This year as Vice Commodore he hopes to complete
the work he started last year regarding upgrading and
maintaining the Youth Sailing fleet, Chase Boat and
Trailer and the general upkeep of the Club Shed and
surrounds as well as upporting our new Commodore
Chris Williams.
The local agent for Doyle Sails Peter has clocked over
100,000NM, contesting in many offshore races and undertaking island cruising. Unsurpris-
ingly, this wealth of experience means Peter has a vast knowledge of what is require when
racing and cruising, both local and offshore, and has also recently been appointed a safety
inspector for Yachting New Zealand.
8 | Tell Tales
Mid-Winter
Dinner
Saturday 20th July from 6pm
Tickets $35 each.
Includes Dinner, Dessert, and a free drink.
*Vegetarian option available on request with ticket purchase
Entertainment
by the fabulous
Bella A
Capella - 7pm
Tell Tales | 9
REMEMBERING JOHN Richard Green
John Goldsbury; 23rd June 1944 – 4th May 2019
It is with much sadness that we record the recent death of past - Commodore John Goldsbury.
John served as Commodore from 2005 to 2007.
His time in office coincided with the time that the OCC had to move out of its old clubhouse,
which was no longer fit for purpose, into a more suitable facility. Although the search for alter-
native premises had been going on for some time, the rise of Far North Holdings Ltd acceler-
ated the need to move. This was a very stressful time for club members but John proved to be
the right person in the right place at the time. He very ably led the club through fundraising
initiatives and lengthy negotiations with FNHL, and it is in no small part due to his efforts
that we are now able to enjoy the clubhouse we have today.
John was born and raised in Auckland. He studied engineering at the University of Auckland’s
School of Engineering when it was located at Ardmore, right alongside the teachers train-
ing college when it was also located at Ardmore, and it was there that he met his wife to be,
Wendy. After graduating with a first class honours degree in electrical engineering in 1966
he was awarded a scholarship to further his studies in England. Shortly after he and Wendy
were married they sailed for England on a ship called “Fairsky.” After two years they returned
to Auckland to raise a family while John worked, firstly as a systems engineer with IBM and
then as part owner of an aluminium joinery business. After 10 years in the joinery business
John decided to become a mathematics teacher. He trained for that role and then taught at
Westlake Boys High School for three years, a time he regarded as one of the most satisfying of
his working career.
Both John and Wendy shared a passion for skiing and sailing and so, in 1999, to satisfy the
latter they moved to Opua with their yacht “Fairsky” and joined the OCC. Of course snow is
something of a rarity in these parts but living in Opua did not deter them from continuing to
satisfy their passion for skiing as well.
John and Wendy cruised up and down the northern coastline from Opua in “Fairsky” and for
twelve years John also raced as a highly valued crewmember with Cees Romeyn on “Nexus,”
(which holds the record for the
most raced boat in NZ!)
John was an active and enthu-
siastic member of our club. In
addition to contributing his
management skills to the club’s
well being he always ensured
that we had plenty of firewood
to keep us warm in winter.
He will long be remembered for
his absolute integrity, his “can
do” attitude and his smiling
disposition.
Fair winds and fair skies,
always, John.
10 | Tell Tales
BOB MCDAVITT’S WEATHER CORNER
SOUTHWEST WINDS
Last time we looked at the westerlies of the roaring forties and how the
Main Divide turns them into north-westerlies. This column looks at south-
westerly flow.
Cold and dampish
South-westerly winds bring
a touch of cool from the
Southern Ocean. They are
damp, because their cold air
is close to its dew point
having picked up water
vapour from the sea (high
relative humidity).
However, cooler air contains
less moisture than warm air,
so south-westerlies, having a low dewpoint, are not very humid or muggy
and thus do not bring heavy rain. In the satellite picture, all the ocean
where south-west winds are blowing is covered by piddling shower clouds.Tell Tales | 11
SOUTH-WESTERLIES ‘MetBob’ McDavitt
So, showers characterise a south-westerly flow. They harbinger winter,
lowering both freezing level and snow level. The formula for snow-making
is to take cold air and moisten it; and the sou’wester does this well,
especially on southwest-facing slopes. It can drift the snow till it overhangs
ridge crests and avalanches off on the north-east side - perhaps into a
“sheltered” valley. South-westerly winds are usually stronger aloft than at
sea level or in valleys.
Split decisions
Western slopes take the brunt of wind and rain from the Tasman Sea, as
evidenced by the change of vegetation across the Divide. However, there’s
sometimes enough southerly in a south-westerly to give it an impact on
eastern slopes.
When the angle of the flow is almost along the Divide, the south-west end
of the country becomes like the bow of a ship, splitting the incoming flow
into two wings. Weather people call this situation a “critical sou’wester,”
meaning that a small change in wind orientation makes a large difference to
which side of the country gets damp cold winds and which side goes into
“rain shadow”. In the mountains at such a time, remember that a small
change in the positions of the surrounding high and low pressure systems
can decide whether you’ll be sheltered or shattered. Forecasts convey this
as “a disturbed southwesterly flow”.
Albatross
Last time I mentioned the wind tower in
Athens with carved figures representing the
prevailing winds. Such a tower in New Zealand
should have an albatross on its south-west
corner. The bird’s black feathers would remind
us that the south-westerlies fly in from the dark
cold of the Southern Ocean. Its white feathers
remind us of snow. Two wings would show
that the wind can be split in two halves by our Main Divide. Finally, the
albatross’s droppings remind us that a sou’wester is damp but not overly
humid and good at making hail.
Next time
Most south-west systems have cyclonic (clockwise-turning) isobars, and
their winds thus peel off to the east of the South Island. If there is some
kind of combination with another low-pressure system further north, then a
southerly may reach north-east beyond Christchurch. It may then bring
storm-force winds to Wellington and snow to the Desert Road. My next
column will be about this “old man” southerly”.
Bob McDavitt for Tell Tales
Bob McDavitt is the weather guru that uses /\/\etBoB to provide weather
information for
cruising sailors, primarily for those in the South Pacific.12 | Tell Tales J CLASS AND THE AMERICA’S CUP Many of you will have seen the news this week that the J class yachts will be sailing here in the Bay of Islands in February 2021!! They are here as part of the 2021 America’s Cup and the RNZYS 150th anniversary. I know its a long time to wait but imagine being out in our very own Bay of Islands with these beauties on the water . The J Class has its roots in the oldest sporting race in the world, The America’s Cup. This In- ternational Event was born from an annual race around the Isle of Wight, hosted by the Royal Yacht Squadron and called the ‘100 Guinea Cup’. The Royal Yacht Squadron, which hosted the annual 100 Guinea Cup race round the Isle of Wight, allowed an overseas yacht to enter for the first time in 1851. The yacht ‘America’ was built that year to an innovative new design and had sailed to the Solent in search of rac- ing. Initially excluded from racing against British yachts, she was finally allowed to enter the Round the Island Race for the 100 Guinea Cup. With the complex tides and shallow areas of the Solent it was natural for ‘America’ to hire the services of a Pilot and in due course Robert Underwood was employed to guide them through the very tricky waters off the Island. Although the race programme was advertised as round- ing the Nab Buoy and then the Isle of Wight, leaving all to Starboard, this was not what was printed by the RYS on the instruction cards and whilst the four leaders tacked away to round the Nab lightship, Underwood directed ‘America’s’ Skipper to press on through the shallow area, missing the Nab Buoy and saving a very considerable distance. Naturally “America” took the lead and held it to win the race, although the nearest British boat closed to just a few minutes behind ‘America’ at the finish. The Trophy became known as the ‘America’s Cup’ and was taken back to the USA. Yachts were able to challenge to win back the cup and a series of larger and larger yachts were designed to compete. Below - Velsheda one of the Current J class Yachts, hopefully coming here in 2021
Tell Tales | 13
OPUA
B OAT BUIL DE RS LT D
ALTERATIONS REPAIRS
TEAK DECKS WOODWORK FIBREGLASS
P 021 236 1721 E opuaboatbuilders@gmail.com
Unit 1, 15 Baffin Street, Opua Marine Park
SPOT THE YOT -
LET US KNOW WHAT YOU THINK OF TELLTALES AND WIN!
Mike Chaplin spotted the little tiny yacht
hidden in NZ Yacht Services ad in the June edition!
Well done Mike, call into Burnsco and see Nick or Brett to pick up your prize
Another 20 litre Burnsco branded dry bag is up for grabs this month.
All you have to do is email
info@opuacruisingclub.co.nz
or phone the office on 09 402 6924
and let us know whose advert you have found the
little yacht in as well as what you like best about our
monthly newsletter ‘Tell Tales’ before July 24th to go
into the draw to win.
The winner will be announced in the August issue.
Quiz Answers
1 c. Head 2 d. All of the above
3. a. Secondary Ports 4. a. True
5. d. East of this mark
The Original Yacht ‘America’ c185114 | Tell Tales
Events in July
Bingo - Thursday 4th - 1900 start.
Darts Every Wednesday. 1900 start
Quiz night - Thursday 18th - 1930 start.
Come with a team or join one on the night. Be prepared for questions on all sorts!
Midwinter dinner - Saturday July 20th Tickets Available NOW at the Office 9am -
12pm or over the Bar Weds-Sun 5pm ->
BBQ Cruise Sunday 30th - keep an eye on your email, Website and our Facebook page
to see where we’re going. (Weather permitting)Tell Tales | 15
JULY CALENDAR SPONSOR - WILLIS SAILS
Willis Sails are your local sailmaker with a
world of experience.
Craig and Dave have both worked locally and
overseas for some of the biggest lofts and race
teams.
We bring our experience to you no matter
what type of sailing you do, or sail you need.
Racing or cruising we can custom design and
build your perfect sail. We design and build
every sail in our Kerikeri loft using only the
best materials to suit your sailing type and
budget. We are also very experienced in
servicing and recutting sails to keep them
going for longer.
Come see us
we can help you
with your sail
needs.
Willis Sails Ltd
09 4078153 (office) 021 786 080 (mobile)
www.willissails.co.nz
www.facebook.com/WillisSailsLimitedMonday Tuesday Wednesday
July 2019Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
13:00 NSR Winter Series
Race 3
School Holidays start
8 Committee 9 10 11 12 13 14
Meeting 14:00 Burnsco Ladies
Winter Series Race 3
15 16 17 18 19 20 12:00 RBC 21
Winter Race 2
Mid Winter
Dinner
School Holidays end
22 23 24 25 26 27 Lunchtime BBQ 28
cruise
29 30 31
16 | Tell Tales
Check the online calendar at www.opuacruisingclub.co.nz/events for the latest information on all eventsYou can also read
